Hypothesis 1 Ð Congenital Abnormality

In this situation, a congenital abnormality is certainly a possibilty, although 
it seems less 
likely because we have evidence of trauma during the difficult birth.  Many 
types of 
congenital abnormalities can occur, such as angular limb deformities, which are 
due to 
laxity of the periarticular supporting structures or incomplete ossification of 
the 
carpal/tarsal bones, or assymetric growth of the metaphyses/epiphyses. In this 
case the 
tight bands of tissue connecting the raised toes with the tissue on the dorsum 
of the foot 
could be the result of a congenital tendon deformity that does not allow proper 
extension 
of the leg.

Transgenic calves tend to be abnormally large which can create pathologic 
pressures on the animal in utero.  If the calf is cramped in utero it could 
cause malformations in the limb which could lead to the valgus deformity.